Category Archives: Civic Engagement and Libraries

Need an online solution for teaching how to convene, moderate, name and frame deliberative forums? The American Library Association (ALA) Center for Civic Life has produced 7 free webinars entitled: The Conversation Continues @ your library: The Place Where Democracy Happens. Produced with the assistance of NIFI Secretary Patty Dineen, Kettering Associate Ellen Knutson, and the David Mathews Center for Civic Life in Alabama, these webinars are archived and publicly available.

The LibraryAware Community Award emphasizes the library’s engagement with the community and will recognize a library or library system that has demonstrated its ability to make its community “aware” of what the library can do for it. The deadline is January 24.

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) of the National Archives supports projects that promote access to America’s historical records to encourage understanding of our democracy, history, and culture.

The following grant application information is for Public Engagement with Historical Records.

Funding Opportunity Number: ENGAGEMENT-201610

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 89.003

Draft Deadline (optional): July 26, 2016
Final Deadline: October 6, 2016
NHPRC support begins no earlier than July 1, 2017.

Grant Program Description

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) seeks projects that encourage public engagement with historical records, including the development of new tools that enable people to engage online. The NHPRC is looking for projects that create models and technologies that other institutions can freely adopt. In general, collaborations among archivists, documentary editors, historians, educators, and/or community-based individuals are more likely to create a competitive proposal.

Projects might create and develop programs to engage people in the study and use of historical records for institutional, educational or personal reasons. For example, an applicant can:

Enlist volunteer “citizen archivists” in projects to accelerate access to historical records, especially those online. This may include, but is not limited to, efforts to identify, tag, transcribe, annotate, or otherwise enhance digitized historical records.
Develop educational programs for K-16 students or community members that encourage them to engage with historical records already in repositories or that are collected as part of the project.

Museums and Libraries Step-Up Efforts to Tackle Economic Distress in Poor Communities, Says New Report from IMLS and LISC

Washington, DC— A new national report finds that many museums and libraries are leveraging their prominent local positions to help rebuild troubled neighborhoods, driving economic, educational and social efforts that help raise standards of living.

The findings will be used to launch discussions at a series of invitational community meetings this fall and winter in Walterboro, S.C.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minn.; Philadelphia, Pa.; and Oakland, Calif.

The report includes examples from nine different museum and library initiatives, including:

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. The museum decided to expand into its existing neighborhood, the Mid-North neighborhood, rather than build new facilities downtown. After taking the lead on transportation enhancements and acquiring a brownfield site to create green space, the museum became a leader in a citywide development effort managed by LISC.

The Detroit Public Library. The Parkman Branch houses one of 10 learning labs in Detroit that connects adults who have limited literacy and math skills to career pathways. The branch participates in the Hope Village Initiative, a neighborhood network of nine institutions serving a 100-block area, by providing skills training programs, and it is part of a community referral program linking individuals to area agencies for assistance with healthcare, parenting, and tax preparation.

Colleton Museum & Farmers Market (Walterboro, S.C.). The museum expanded into an old remodeled grocery store at the edge of downtown and now administers a farmer’s market there. The new space doubles as a town hall and community center. By partnering with community organizations, the museum provides health education through cooking classes and the statewide Eat Smart, Move More program.

“Our nation’s libraries and museums have vast potential to develop the physical, social, and economic initiatives that are so necessary for comprehensive community revitalization efforts,” said IMLS Director Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew. “I’m proud that IMLS and LISC have collaborated to identify leading examples of this cross-sectoral work and that IMLS provides the funding to support this vital work.”

“Many libraries and museums have moved beyond their traditional roles and are now key partners helping long-distressed communities build stability and growth,” said Michael Rubinger, LISC president and CEO. “They are advocates, community planners and economic engines—recognizing the needs of residents and responding in ways that help drive lasting change.”

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries(link is external) and 35,000 museums. Our mission is to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. Our grant making, policy development, and research help libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook(link is external) and Twitter(link is external).

About LISC
LISC equips struggling communities with the capital, program strategy, and know-how to become places where people can thrive. It combines corporate, government and philanthropic resources. Since 1980, LISC has invested $14.7 billion to build or rehab 330,000 affordable homes and apartments and develop 53 million square feet of retail, community and educational space. For more, visit www.lisc.org(link is external).

The Kettering Foundation is offering a limited number of copies of its newest book The Ecology of Democracy: Finding Ways to Have a Stronger Hand in Shaping Our Future to all libraries interested in hosting book discussion groups or other community conversations. A series of questions to facilitate these conversations is also available.

A press release, book description, book postcard, and sample questions are attached.

This is a wonderful opportunity for libraries to participate in discussions about the future of our democracy with concerned citizens in their communities. The effort is co-sponsored by the American Library Association Center for Civic Life and the National Coalition on Dialogue and Deliberation.

Todayâ€™s communities are challenged by polarizing, often intractable conflicts.Â Many librarians and journalists engaging residents in civil discourse to explore values, beliefs, and politics are often unaware of natural allies in their communities who can help: dialogue and deliberation practitioners.

Join us at the upcoming NCDD Conference

for a session to exploreâ€¦

Beyond Books:

Librarians, Journalists and Dialogue Professionals Working Together

Saturday, October 18, 2014

9:00 am â€“ 10:30 am, Lake Anne A

Whatâ€™s Possible When Information Professionals like Librarians, and Journalists and Dialogue Practitioners Work Together to Inform and Engage Communities?

Facilitated by:

Nancy Kranich, founder and convener of the American Library Association (ALA) Center for Civic Life

Marla Crockett,Â public engagement consultant who worked in public broadcasting for more than 25 years as a news manager, producer, talk show host, and reporter.

This session will bring to NCDD an opportunity to join a conversation begun in 2012 with librarians, journalists, and civic practitioners sponsored by Journalism That Matters in conjunction with the American Library Association and other organizations.Â Â Details about that gathering including session notes and video recordings of speakers and participants are available at:Â www.biblionews.org.Â Â Â That experience can inform NCDD conference participants about what’s possible for building a civic infrastructure within their communities in collaboration with librarians, journalists, and other information agents.

The 6th National Conference on Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD)Â will include: